Udinese coach Giovanni Galeone is pulling out all the stops in a bid to keep Sulley Muntari.
The Ghana international is much admired within Premiership circles with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham all believed to be interested in bringing him to England.
Pompey chief Harry Redknapp made a personal check on the World Cup star this summer and Muntari also has options in Russia.
"There is no doubt Muntari is a good young player and I like him a lot," said Redknapp in August. "We need strength like he has."
However, Udine coach Galeone is desperate to keep the African midfielder.
"Should Muntari have to leave, I'd cry," he told Quotidano Nazionale.
"The guy only has one defect - to be really forceful with his ideas and, when he doesn't like something, he reacts badly.
"He must understand he's a player at a European level and that certain behaviour cannot be tolerated.
"He must grow up. He needs someone who manages him and who can reproach him if it is necessary."
Galeone does not expect too much activity at the Serie A club.
"With the exception of the sale of a few players who have not been utilised a lot, to allow them to play more, I don't foresee big market movements," he added.
